Mega Dragon: Harbinger of Death

CREEPERS (2)

“I just might have found you a disciple,” Zenon said.

Ara raised an eyebrow in a mixture of skepticism and surprise. It was the first time Zenon had mentioned something like that. The cap it off, he was aware that Ara was not interested in having a student. Zenon was the one searching for one. And his standards were inordinately high. If he said he found someone, it just might be worth checking out.

“You don’t believe me? How about we go check him out together. You’ll know by then,” Zenon added.

Ara let out a heavy sigh. He had a lot of work to do back at the Laboratorium, but this was too interesting a development for him to turn down. “I’ll take your word for it because it’s you. But I’m not looking for a student,” Ara said. “Why don’t you take him up instead?”

“He’s a lot more like you. I’m sure you’ll be thrilled.”

***

The streets of the capital were buzzing as usual. News of the annual tournament was making the rounds as expected. Warriors from the Croft and Lo kingdom would face off in a one-on-one duel until a winner was found. Winners were not allowed into the contests anymore, so Ara and Zenon were long made ineligible for the contest. Ara won it when he was no more than eleven years of age. He beat Zenon before getting to the finals, but everyone knew that would have made a better final match than the actual one. Zenon won it the next year and since then, the two princes have been nothing but spectators. Even though the king wished otherwise, neither of them was yet to take on a disciple. The king always felt that the knowledge they possessed would be better shared, but they often argued otherwise. In the Eastern market, amidst the buzzing crowd, a notable figure takes interest in Kiro’s shed. He is shrouded in a dark robe and a hood over his head that completely hides his appearance. “So, that is the one he spoke of,” he said.

He walked briskly into Kiro’s shed who was still yet to take notice of his presence. It was almost like no one took cognizance of his presence in the entire area.

“Hello young man,” he said jolting Kiro from his work who was holding a hot metal rod with a pair of tongs. He did not look pleased one bit. He would have to restart the work and luckily, he wasn’t burnt. It was not like it would have meant much. “Sorry about that,” the hooded man said, but Kiro could through the darkness that shrouded his face. Was that a grin?

“What do you want?” Kiro asked. There was everything to be skeptical about. His skulking appearance and his almost non-existing presence made him a perfect sketch of an untrustworthy character.

“I want to make some swords. I heard there was a fine blacksmith around so I thought I would see for myself,” he said.

Kiro pondered over what he said for some time before responding. Something about the man before made him want to put his guard up. Even as he was standing before him, it almost felt like he wasn’t there. And Kiro always believed he had very keen senses.

“I don’t make swords. You’ve got the wrong place,” Kiro replied. Everyone around him knew that much. He wasn’t the only blacksmith in the eastern market but the stranger would have to walk a bit. He put quite the distance between himself and the others with good reason.

“I was told. But I have seen some of your works and I am very impressed. Why don’t you make weapons?”

“Because only the soldiers and the royals buy weapons and I hate them both,” Kiro scoffed. He wished the stranger would just leave and allow him to get back to his work. He couldn’t take his eyes off him with his wavering presence.

“Ah, I see. We’re the same in that regard then. I hate the royals as well.” The stranger wore a sinister grin that made Kiro even more uneasy.

“And I hate people like you even more. Leave now. I have work,” Kiro snapped and turned to continue his work in hopes that the stranger would leave.

“Do you have a goal, Kiro Ner?” he asked.

Kiro was taken aback that he knew his name but hid it well. “I said leave,” Kiro said with a threatening calmness but the stranger didn’t bulge.

“Good day gentlemen,” a voice came from behind. It was Ara and Zenon! Kiro heaved a sigh of relief. Never would he have thought that he has been glad to see any of those two. There was nothing left to talk about. The stranger was at the end of the road already, and rightfully so, he turned to take his leave.

“I’ll see you some other time boy. Think hard about the question I just asked.” He bowed slightly to the two princes. “Your highnesses,” he said as he walked past.

Zenon had his gaze fixed on him longer than Ara did. He noticed the little presence the stranger had. It was certainly a cause for worry if someone like that turned out to be a threat. Ara on the other hand was more interested in Kiro. Zenon was right. He had a large amount of beast mana. But not just that, it had merged with the very core of his existence, just like the Crofts. There was no difference between his energy and the beasts. They were one and the same.

“Kiro Ner, I presume?” Ara asked.

Kiro was not pleased. “What is with everyone today? It’s those Renoff girls, right?” Kiro asked. He rarely got a lot of patronage for his work and all of a sudden, everyone is looking for him. And it all started after his encounter with Aroha and Zhiyi.

“Well, I did tell you that you would see me again,” Zenon said.

“I came here to congratulate you in person. You are now my student. How lucky you must feel,” Ara said with his creepy laugh.

Kiro didn’t utter a word. If he did, he might have been hanged n***d with his eyes feasted on by crows. That was how nasty the response he had in mind was. After the King, Ara was the most powerful individual in the kingdom so of course, he had to be careful.

“Are you that overwhelmed that you lack the words to express your joy?” Ara teased. He was doing those excessive movements he did whenever he spoke like that like he was the star of a play. That was where Zhiyi got those gestures from. It was a thing among the ladies who were attracted to the prince. Which were all the ladies in the kingdom of course.

Kiro held the urge to speak. It was difficult, but he had to try.

“Ara, I don’t think he’s interested. He looks like he’s about to blow up. Look at how red he is,” Zenon said.

“No, of course not. He’s been working close to the fire all day. Of course, he’d be red.”

“With all due respect your highness, I’m not interested,” Kiro said as politely as he could.

“Well that won’t do,” Ara said. He walked towards an unwavering Kiro. “How about a wager? If you can hit me and make me move, I’ll admit that you don’t need a teacher and I’ll leave. Otherwise, you have no choice.”

Kiro dropped the hot metal he was holding before he was tempted to use it on the prince. Why couldn’t anyone take no for an answer?

“I wouldn’t want to hurt you,” Kiro said sternly.

A deafening silence followed and shortly after a burst of laughter from the two princes. It had been years since they had heard someone say something like that to them with such seriousness. He truly meant it.

“Do you mean what you just said?” Ara goaded. He scanned through Kiro’s eyes for any signs that he was joking to find none. “I see. You’re serious. Be rest assured that no problems will arise if you do succeed. Zenon and I will make sure of that. Although I highly doubt that you could,” Ara said.

Kiro looked to Zenon as if asking for his permission. He knows how strong the princes are. Well, only through rumors. But they have no idea how strong he is. They might have noticed somehow because they are skilled warriors, but so much of his abilities are suppressed. If he were to let loose, there was every chance that the prince would be fatally injured and nothing would save him from hanging. He didn’t need to go all-out. Just a portion of his strength should be enough.

The guards had made sure there was no one close enough to witness what was happening. Ara had instructed such. That was the only way to put Kiro at ease. Kiro threw a straight jab at Ara making a clean connection to his stomach. Ara was unimpressed. To Kirr, it was like striking steel. To Ara… well, there wasn’t enough force from Kiro for Ara to judge.

“Are you holding back on me?” Ara snapped. He was visibly displeased. But he decided that wouldn’t help the situation. He had to consider Kiro’s circumstances as well.

“You needn’t worry about the prince. He’s the toughest there is. Let it all out,” Zenon said.

Kiro steeled his resolve. If the rumors were even slightly true, then the prince might actually be able to withstand his full strength. But he never trusted rumors especially ones that involved royals and nobles. They were always exaggerated and he always believed that the two prince’s cases were no different. Surely, they were fine warriors, but not as amazing as the rumors suggested. The punch Kiro threw would send most people flying. But the prince didn’t even react and his body felt like nothing he had ever encountered. Was he truly the strongest human as the rumors depicted?

Kiro threw a second punch, this time with a lot more power in it. But the outcome was the same. After a series of punches, Ara soon got bored. “I thought you said you saw something special in him, Zenon. This is disappointing. Let’s go. You can keep your shed,” Ara said.

Kiro was infuriated. What did he mean he could keep his shed as he owned it? What had any of the royals done for him except increase his hardships? And yet, they rule over him like he was insignificant. If Ara wanted to feel pain, that was what he would give him. Why was he so worried in the first place? He would put him in his place and make sure none of them ever dared to bother him again. Although he might end up having to flee the capital. But it wasn’t his first time fleeing from a place.

“Wait,” Kiro beckoned. “Let me show you what I am truly capable of.”

The air around Kiro became dense. Even the guards that were a distance away could feel the menacing energy from him. Out of a sheer sense of loyalty, they forgot Ara’s commands and ran straight at the shed. The curious civilians followed suit. But at that pace, they could only catch a glimpse of what happened.

Ara and Zenon smiled at the aura that Kiro showed. It was an impressive feat. And the way he condensed that energy into his fists was even more impressive. Zenon took a few steps back to avoid being caught in the wave. It was a powerful punch after all. Without any restraints this time, Kiro ran straight at Ara and struck him cleanly in the stomach. Half of his shed was destroyed from the impact of the punch and the sound of the punch upon impact masked the sound of bones cracking. A devastating blow it was.